Acts 29
The Program
Bible Teaching
The primary texts for Acts 29 are the Gospel of Mark and the Acts of the Apostles, which are studied through narrative teaching. The following topics are taught in every school. The bullet points are suggested guidelines for instructors.
- Cultural Understanding
- Understanding culture shock
- Each nation presents its cultural background and expressions
- Studying differences and similarities between our cultures
- Life in the Holy Spirit
- The Person and work of the Holy Spirit
- The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit
- Hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit
- Discipleship
- Identity and calling
- Carrying the cross
- Living a radical Christian lifestyle
- Mission and Calling
- Calling and commissioning
- Mission — nearby and to the ends of the earth
- How to make disciples
- Missio Dei — God reconciling the world to himself
- Servant Leadership
- Case study of Moses as leader
- Case study of Jesus as leader
- Servant leadership
- Problems and temptations in leadership
- The Church as the Body of Christ
- The body of Christ
- Principles of the first church
- Present expressions of church
- Our authority and vulnerability as believers
- Prayer
- Basics
- The Lord’s Prayer
- The intimate whisper
- Prayer and faith
- A powerful tool
- Optional topics may include:
- Spiritual warfare
- Relationships and sexuality
- Church history
- Bible panorama
Intercultural Community
Acts 29 gathers young people from different cultural backgrounds into an intercultural community sharing basic accommodation, simple food, and life practices based on kingdom values, as well as deep respect and consideration of the local culture. Living in community helps participants to understand the gospel and develop their intercultural competence. The school runs in no more than two languages, with mutual translation.
Devotions
Acts 29 takes place in an environment of worship and prayer. Each morning typically includes one hour of personal devotions and 30 minutes of group devotions. Each evening at the school base includes a further hour or more of group devotions, with testimonies and personal ministry.
Distractions
In order to foster an environment of focused community, we ask that participants limit external communications (phone, internet, etc.) to one day a week. (Exceptions may be made for leaders working to organize the school.) In addition, we ask participants not to form exclusive relationships that will detract from their effective involvement with the whole Acts 29 community.
Leadership Responsibility
School leaders are responsible for the administration and operations of all areas of the school. Each country with multiple participants and leaders will provide a school leader. It is recommended that the leadership team meet every day to review the schedule, discuss responsibilities, and pray for the school. In addition, each week the leaders will set aside one hour (or more) for leadership development, which may include fellowship, leadership teaching, personal coaching, and rest.
The leader from the host country is responsible for representing the school to local churches and ministries. Where necessary, the Acts 29 Global Forum* may choose to elect a mentor to attend during the startup period to make sure the school is on track. The school mentor also takes responsibility for the school and addresses any issues or crises that may arise. All leaders gather together before the school begins to finalize preparations.
* An internationally designated group that shares information and inspiration with representation from all involved churches.
Leadership Developement
Throughout the course of the school, responsibilities will be increasingly delegated to the students to help them grow in their leadership skills. Participants in one school are encouraged to become mentor student leaders in a later school. Some student leaders may become future school leaders.
Practice
Participants will be divided into smaller teams for “practice,” where they go into the community, in partnership with local churches, to engage in ministry efforts. This is an opportunity to put into practice what they are learning regarding caring for and reaching their neighbor. The details of the practices will be flexible, and dependent on the circumstances in each country where the school is held. Each practice team will be assigned two student leaders.
Preparation
Every school is prepared and conducted in a spirit of deep mutuality between the organizing churches. Each church is recommended to prepare its students and leaders for their time on Acts 29.
Sabbath Rest
Every school is prepared and conducted in a spirit of deep mutuality between the organizing churches. Each church is recommended to prepare its students and leaders for their time on Acts 29.
Spiritual Disciplines
Leaders and participants are trained to practice basic spiritual disciplines. One or more days are set aside for:
- Corporate fasting, preceded by appropriate teaching
- Silence to focus on God
- 24-hour prayer chain
Testimonies
To deepen relationships and foster mutual respect and understanding, all participants and visiting teachers share their testimonies with the whole group and then receive personal prayer and ministry.
Workshops
Informal learning includes workshops on a variety of practical topics related to ministry, communication, and cultural understanding. Workshops, teaching, and practical sessions will be harmonized as much as possible.
A Typical Day at School
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30 am | Wake up, Personal Devotions |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 am | Teaching |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 2:30 pm | Workshops ( ie., drama rehearsal, language lesson) |
| 4:00 pm | Free time |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner |
| 7:30 pm | Worship/gathering |
| 10:00 pm | Goodnight |
Working with Local Churches
Acts 29 gathers young adults from different cultural backgrounds into an intercultural community sharing basic accommodations, simple food, and practices based on kingdom values as well as deep respect and consideration of the local culture. Living in such a community helps participants to understand the gospel and develop their intercultural competence. The school runs bilingually, with mutual translation.
All participants are placed in teams that work with local congregations each weekend. Serving under local leaders, young adults will get hands-on learning experiences in ministry through youth work, evangelism, odd jobs, home visits, and service life.
Accommodations
Accommodations are functional and simple. As our basic needs are met, we work together to disengage from things that normally distract or separate us from God and one another. Depending on location of the school, young adults may live with a host family or in facilities provided by our local church partners
